What are the Persimmon Health Benefits?

onJune 21, 2011

We are all aware of the various vitamins and minerals that one can get from fruits. But some fruits are much more nutritious compared to other fruits. We can get more health benefits from certain fruits. One fruit with a lot of health benefits is persimmon. But what are persimmon health benefits?

What is Persimmon?

Persimmon is a sweet and delicious fruit. It is a native fruit of China. It reached Japan a long time ago and was later introduced to California in the middle of the 19th century. Persimmon grows best in places with moderate winters and mild summers.

A persimmon tree is a multi-trunked or single-stemmed deciduous tree. The tree can grow up to 25 feet in height. The fruits can be spherical in shape. They can also be flattened or squashed. Some may also be heart shaped. The shape varies depending on the cultivar of the fruit. The size of the fruits also varies. Some can be very little, weighing only up to a few ounces. Others can be bigger and reach to more than a pound in weight. The color varies from a light yellow-orange tinge to a dark orange-red hue.

The fruit also has two cultivars, the astringent and non-astringent cultivars. The astringent cultivar is high in tannins and has a tendency to be tart. It must first be allowed to ripen fully until it is jelly soft in consistency before it can be consumed. The non-astringent cultivar has less tannin and can be enjoyed while it is crisp.

Health benefits of persimmon

Persimmon is rich in various nutrients. This is why it is highly beneficial for our health. One of which is it is rich in dietary fiber. Dietary fiber aids in food digestion. Even by knowing just this fact about the fruit, you can already tell how healthful persimmon may be for you. Dietary fibers aid in proper digestion of the food you eat, making sure you get the nutrients you need.

Persimmon is also a good source of some vitamins. Vitamins A, B complex, and C are all abundant in persimmon. Vitamin A is a good antioxidant and is helpful in maintaining good eyesight. Vitamin B complex is essential in energy production and promotes healthy nervous system. Vitamin B complex is also necessary for many o ther bodily functions and promotes the entire well-being. Vitamin C is widely known for its positive effects on one’s resistance. It is a great tool in boosting your immunity against various diseases. Vitamin C is also another powerful antioxidant.

You don’t only get various vitamins and dietary fiber from persimmon; you also get fewer calories, making it perfect for weight watchers. Persimmon fruits are low in calories with only 70 calories for every 100 grams.

Persimmon also contains phytonutrients, like flavonoids or polyphenols that serve as antioxidants. It also has catechins, gallocatechins, and an anti-tumor compound called betulinic acid. These catechins are known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, and anti-hemorrhagic properties.

The fresh fruits of persimmon are good source of some essential minerals as well. Copper, manganese, phosphorous, and potassium are found in healthy amounts in fresh persimmon fruits. Copper is a co-factor for vital enzymes and is required for the production of the red blood cells. Manganese is also another co-factor for enzymes. It is a co-factor of the superoxide dismutase, a powerful free radical scavenger.

Shibuol is another anti-cancer compound present in persimmon. But too much of this can also be bad for your health. Shibuol may react to the acid environment in your stomach and form a gooey substance, called bezoar, which can obstruct your intestinal tract. Persimmon should then be eaten only on a full stomach and never with crabmeat, which can increase the chances of forming bezoar.

Persimmon is highly beneficial in fighting against cancer and cardiovascular diseases. It is perfect for maintaining your overall health.